HYPOCHONDRIA Hypochondria is a condition in which you believe that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even though there is no medical evidence to support it.
Causes
People with this condition are overly focused on their physical health and have an unrealistic fear of dying of a serious death.
The way people with this condition think about their physical symptoms can make them more susceptible to have this condition.
As they focus on worrying about their physical sensations, a cycle of symptoms and worry sets in, which can be very difficult to stop.
It is very important to understand that people with hypochondria do not purposely create these symptoms. They are simply unable to control their symptoms.
Symptoms
Having a long-term fear or anxiety about having a serious disease or health condition
Worrying that minor symptoms or bodily sensations mean that you have a serious illness
Seeing doctors frequently or having involved medical exams such as MRI, exploratory surgery, or echocardiograms
Continuously talking about your suspected disease with family members and friends
Frequently checking your vital signs
Think you have a disease after hearing about it or reading about it
Most at Risk
If you were sick as a child with a prolonged illness, or had a sick family member
If there is a family history of Hypochondria
If you had a recent stressful event happen
Signs and Tests
You can have physical examinations to rule out the illness
You can have psychiatric evaluation to rule of the other related disorders
Treatment
It is important that you have a good relationship with your health care provider because you want to avoid having too many tests and procedures done.
The doctor should tell you that you do not have a disease, but continued medical follow-ups should help control the symptoms.
People suffering from hypochondria feel very distressed, so it is important not to deny or challenge their symptoms.
General Public Perception People just think that they are faking the symptoms and illness
Other Facts
A doctor from the National Human Genome Research Institute said;
"To my knowledge, there have been no studies documenting a genetic component to hypochondriasis. This does not mean that there IS no genetic portion to the cause of the disorder, but rather that adequate research has not been done."
Researchers estimate that only 3 - 14% of all medical patients have hypochondria
Linked To Anxiety Depression Panic Disorders Schizophrenia
Sources
Dawson, Dawn P., ed. 4th ed. Vol. 3. California: Salem, 2008. Print. Magill's Medical Guide.
Hypochondria is a condition in which you believe that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even though there is no medical evidence to support it.
Causes
Symptoms
Most at Risk
Signs and Tests
Treatment
General Public Perception
People just think that they are faking the symptoms and illness
Other Facts
- A doctor from the National Human Genome Research Institute said;
"To my knowledge, there have been no studies documenting a genetic component to hypochondriasis. This does not mean that there IS no genetic portion to the cause of the disorder, but rather that adequate research has not been done."- Researchers estimate that only 3 - 14% of all medical patients have hypochondria
Linked ToAnxiety
Depression
Panic Disorders
Schizophrenia
Sources
Picture;
By; Kyristen and Steph